Beautiful Day!!!

Today is one of the most memorable days in my life. I got a surprise party from some of my friends in Yash and a heart touching souvenir as well.

When I have seen this calendar, I was thrilled and moved beyond words. It touched me in a way that left me speechless....Thanks a lot friends for making this day special in my life :-)

Before I Die....

Today I read a book “Before I die” by Jenny Downham. This book inspired me to write down the tasks that I would like to do if tomorrow is going to be my last day on this planet "EARTH" :-) :-) :-)

• I would like to spend my last day in my hometown-“Lucknow” with my family.

• Ask my mother to prepare some of my favorite dishes like idli-samber, Gajar ka halwa, rajma, kadi-chawal.

• Go out with my friends for shopping.

• Go to “Sai Baba” temple in Indira Nagar and sit there for some time.

• Eat “pani-puri” and “chaat” in Bhootnath market and “kulfi” in Aminabad.

• Go to orphanage home in Hazratganj and distribute chocolates, fruits and other things to them.

• Ensure that all my savings/insurance go to my parents.

• Buy most expensive gifts for all my family members and friends.

• I will call all my friends to tell them that they are important for me and I will not leave them in the heaven/hell. I will haunt them in their dreams :-) :-) :-)

• In the evening, I will go out to see the sunset. I love to see sunrise/sunset; it inspires me a lot.

• In the night, I would like to have a candle light dinner with my family and after non-stop chatting and fun, I will sleep without any tension as I have already lived my day as per my wish….

New Experiment!!!

Pencil sketch of Lord Ganesha that I have completed last night …..

Christmas 2011

Christmas tree!!

Jingle bells :) :)

Joy of giving!!!

GOONJ - A voice, an effort...

Joy of Giving!!!

Yesterday we went to one of the NGOs in Hyderabad to give clothes and other things, which we have collected in a contribution campaign in our office. I realized that there are nothing more “amazing” and more “rejuvenating” than the “JOY OF GIVING”. The precious smile on the face of someone when you have done something helpful or made a positive contribution in some way to their life is the most satisfying moment in life.

Offering a helping hand to someone who is in desperate need, giving things which we don’t use much like toys, clothes etc. to those who can never afford to buy them, sending gifts to near and dear ones and listening to someone’s woes are a few simple gestures that show we care. After all, everyone wants to feel loved, cared and valued in life.

By helping others we indirectly help ourselves. When we help others we experience a meaningful happiness that is hard to explain. I am going to fill happiness in the lives of some orphaned children this Christmas. What are your plans??? Find out some opportunities where you can help others. You will certainly feel contended. Try it once!!!

It’s only words….

"It’s only words
and words are all I have
to take your heart away”

                             - (Lines taken  from Boyzone song)

It is rightly said by someone that “words have the power to heal or to hurt”.  Words can make or mar any relationship. Emotional damage caused by words takes much longer time to heal compared to physical violence and has a deeper impact as well. I believe that words represent the character of the person.

Ironically in our busy lives, we take our words for granted and we don’t often think about the effects of our words onto another person.

Words can console us when we are feeling sad, motivate us to perform well, notify us,  humiliate us........

Words are very powerful therefore we should think thoroughly before sharing them. Our words can leave someone feeling empowered, or paralyzed.

Each and every one of us has a power within us. The power to comfort others through our words. Let us use it wisely in enriching the lives of others….

My Stress buster....

My Little Champ...

Street food!!!

I am a big foodie. I love street food especially aloo tikki, panipuri and mirchi bajji (all spicy!!!). Yesterday we had explored one food stall in Secunderabad. The food there was too good. I ate vada pao and dabeli. Both were delicious!!!

Dabeli is a Gujarati dish and is made up of potatoes and some special mixtures between the pav. The vibrant atmosphere there reminds me of the NFC market in New Delhi which was my one of the favorite hang out spots during my college days....

Top Five things that I love to do.....

• Reading: For me reading is a highly enjoyable task. I am an avid reader. It is rightly said by someone that, “a good book can be hugely satisfying, can teach you about things beyond your daily horizons, and can create characters so vivid you feel as if you really know them”.

• Traveling: I love to explore new places. Although I hardly get time to do so because in an IT company taking leaves for traveling is equivalent to killing someone :-) :-) I love the adventure of traveling-to discover something new, diverse and untried.

• Interior decoration: I love to decorate and arrange things in a systematic and stylish manner. At the time of my sister’s engagement, I was given the responsibility to decorate our home, which I enjoyed a lot.

• Writing: For me writing is a stress buster. I love to express my feelings in words.

• Last but not the least; I love to spend quality time with those people who are close to my heart.

Top five things that irritate me....

Acceptance is not love. You love a person because he or she has lovable traits, but you accept everybody just because they're alive and human.                                                                                                    -By "Albert Ellis"

• Jealousy and Possessiveness: I think these two human traits are interrelated. I hate when people do not give space in a relationship and try to control or dominate another person

• Breaking a promise: This is something I will never do. I do believe in keeping up my words. I hate when someone makes promises and then step back.

• Lack of personal grooming: I saw many people who do not bother about what they are wearing. For looking smart; it is not always necessary to be dressed in branded clothes and expensive accessories. One can look decent by wearing a clean outfit and a smile on a face.

• Disorganized surroundings: I love to arrange all my stuff in a systematic way. I hate messy rooms or almirahs. I always say “NO” to clutter and try to be surrounded with clean environment at all times.

• Mood fluctuations: It is very difficult to deal with a person whose mood tends to change very suddenly. I know it is very difficult to stay happy all the time but showing mood swings without any particular reason is intolerable.

Every cloud has a silver lining….

After completing my class 12^th, I dropped one year and worked very hard for the various medical entrance examinations. But, in spite of all my efforts I failed to get admission in any of the government medical colleges. I felt hopeless and it was my one of the most difficult time I have ever faced in my life.

There is a saying that “every cloud has a silver lining”, which means difficult times always lead to better days and you can derive some benefit from every bad thing that happens to you. I strongly believe in this phrase as I practically experienced it.

From that incidence/struggle in life, I learned that no matter how good or bad the situation, it will change and we should remain same in all circumstances. Today I am happy with my job and I have no regrets regarding my career choice. That failure/tough time helped me in humanizing qualities in me. Today I know the importance of having patience, faith and simplicity in life.

Sometimes no matter what you do, things go wrong. In such cases we just have to change our outlook towards failure. There is no situation in this world that is totally hopeless.

We all have our clouds but never forget that the "sunshine" is there right behind it.....

My Mother's Garden......

Where is the Bird???

View of plants from our Corridor

Beauty of Croton Plant

Don't know the name of the plant...

It is Fern. I planted it when I was in graduation :)

Money plant

My mother uses its flower for Pooja

 Dahlia.

Rose

Don’t do anything....

“If you like it, let it be, and if you don't please do the same.”

                                                                                             - Ani Difranco

Yesterday at the professional front, I learned a very important lesson that never reacts on the situation that is  beyond your control. The best mantra to deal such unwanted condition is just ignore it. There is no need to think or act on it…

Whenever your mood is off because of such uncontrollable situations then;

• Breathe deeply
• Relax.....
• Drink lots of water
• Call a friend
• Leave the matter as such…..Don’t do anything :) :) :)

My mantras for living a life…

“Life is too short to start your day with broken pieces of yesterday; it will definitely destroy your wonderful today and ruin your great tomorrow”

“Life is too short to be anything but happy. Love deeply, forgives quickly, take chances, give everything with no regrets and forget the past with exception of what you have learned and remembered everything happens for a reason”

                                            
                                                                         (Author of both the quotes - Unknown)

My formula for living a life is very simple. I believe that life is too short so we should not waste it by doing irrelevant things.  I always try to follow these principles so that I can enjoy it fully:

• Work hard (SMART too!!!) 
• Follow your dreams
• Keep in touch with your friends/near and dear ones
• Smile a lot
• Eat a good diet (I am not a diet conscious but at times I adopt various detoxification methods to stay healthy)
• Exercise (I am not a fitness freak; brisk walk is the only exercise that I follow religiously :) :)
• Believe in God
• Spend some time alone
• Think positive
• Give importance to relations/people in life over materialistic things

And the most important thing never blames “circumstances for your current situation”. You are responsible for your own actions. I met so many people who blame external conditions for their failures. I believe that if you are not happy with a particular situation then change it. What is holding you back? But never complain...

                                                                     

EXPRESS YOURSELF (PART II)...

After reading my blog post “Express yourself”. One of my blog readers wrote me; is it really important to express your feelings to your near and dear ones? According to her some feelings can be expressed through your actions then what is the need of drafting it in words???

My perception is slightly different in this regard. I believe that every person wants to feel special, loved and cared. When you say “I love you” to your parents, they feel important and assured. When you say “I love you to” your friends they feel valued.

There is no harm in expressing your “TRUE” feelings to your loved ones. Life is very short and unpredictable too. At times you want to convey your feelings but you cannot because that person is no longer there. It is one of the saddest feelings I experienced after my father’s death two years ago.

I never miss any chance to tell my mother/sis/special people in my life that I love them and they are important for me. So what are you waiting for???

Express your feeling to your loved ones. There are many options available now days. Mail/Mobile/SMS and so on…CHOICE is yours!!! JUST SAY IT :) :) :)

EXPRESS YOURSELF!!!!

Today one of my friends called me to share one good news that finally he got engaged with a girl whom he like for the past three years. It was a pleasant surprise for me as my friend is very shy and he never dares to tell that girl about his true feelings towards her. But finally he listened to his heart and proposed her and they are getting married next year. Wow what a love story!!! I never fall in love with anyone but I can imagine his happiness.

I think for a successful relationship; it can be with your spouse, friend, sister, brother, parents and so on. It is very important to express your love towards them. If you love someone, then express it. There are only a few people in your life who will stay with you and will not walk away in case of "troubles" and "hardships". Recognize those special people and hold on to them by "EXPRESSING" your true feelings towards them.

Have you recognized those special people in your life? Then, what are you waiting for?  Send them some love today!!! :):):)

• Do something important for them which can make their day brighter.
• Call them and tell them that you love them
• Hug them
• Let them know that they are important for you.
• Send them a gift.